“Once all struggle is grasped, miracles are possible.”
- December 26, 1893 – September 9, 1976
- Born in China
- Politician, thinker
- He led the Chinese socialist revolution and succeeded in founding the country, but the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution brought much chaos and sacrifice.
Quote
“Once all struggle is grasped, miracles are possible.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Mao Zedong’s belief in the transformative power of struggle and perseverance. Mao suggests that once a person or a group fully understands the nature of their challenges and is prepared to engage with them at their core, they can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and achieve what might initially seem like miracles. The concept of “struggle” here is not just about physical conflict, but about overcoming adversity, facing challenges head-on, and being able to transform a difficult situation into one of opportunity and change. Mao’s view emphasizes that victory and success often arise from facing struggles directly and understanding them fully, allowing one to adapt and harness the power of persistence.
In the context of Mao’s leadership, this idea was central to the Chinese Communist Party’s ability to overthrow the more established powers. Mao believed that the people’s struggle, even when faced with overwhelming odds, was the key to achieving revolutionary change. The struggle itself, Mao argued, was a learning process that shaped the forces of revolution. By understanding the depth and nature of the problems they faced, the revolutionaries could act in ways that seemed impossible at first, but which eventually led to transformational change, even leading to what he termed miracles—in this case, the victory of the Communist forces.
In modern terms, this quote speaks to the importance of resilience and determination in achieving great goals. Whether in personal growth, social movements, or business ventures, success often requires grasping the full scope of the challenges one faces, and then tackling them with a sense of commitment and vision. Once the struggle is understood, it becomes possible to turn the tide and achieve what might have seemed unachievable. This perspective encourages individuals to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and to recognize that miracles—or transformative successes—are possible when one fully engages with their struggles and continues to push forward with unwavering resolve.
